Treasure Hunters - Excerpt
“Miss Tremain.” His deep voice, though soft, was filled with exasperation. “Are you listening to me?”
“Beg your pardon?” She blinked rapidly.
He exhaled and took the seat in front of her desk. Crossing one ankle over the opposite knee, he bared to her view an impressive bulge behind the tightened lacings of his pants.
“Animal,” she breathed. The bulge jerked in response.
“Huh?”
Sam coughed into her hand as her face heated. “A-animal skin.”
“Yeah. It is.” Bright blue eyes flashed briefly before narrowing. “I was told that you’re the foremost expert on literary antiquities in this part of the galaxy, Miss Tremain. Is that right or should I be looking for help elsewhere?”
“Mr. Bronson—”
“Rick.”
“Oh…” The way he said his own name, like it was a sensual threat, made her shiver. And the way he was dressed, in animal skin and some billowing material for a shirt, made her mouth dry. “Why aren’t you wearing a bio suit?”
A dark brow rose. “You want to talk about my clothes?” He shook his head. “You brainy types are always a little weird.”
“Look who’s talking,” she retorted, stung by his comment, one which she’d heard a thousand times. “You are a twenty-third century mercenary who dresses in nineteenth century clothing while tracking down a legendary twenty-first century treasure. Shouldn’t you be doing something else? Killing for hire or something of that nature?”
Blowing a loose tendril of hair from her face, Sam stood and began to pace. As long as she didn’t look at that breathtaking face, she could keep her wits about her. His dark hair, tan skin and eyes like the Laruvian Ocean were bad enough. When you added in the broad shoulders, tapered hips and animal skin covered bulge, she had a living wet dream sitting right in her office.
Rick Bronson chuckled and the warm sound of amusement made her womb clench. “Whatever a mercenary does, he does for credits. Hunting treasure is a hunt for credits. Pretty easy to figure out.”
“But why this particular treasure?”
“It’s worth a fortune.”
“It’s rumored to be worth a fortune. Just as it’s rumored to exist. You’re most likely wasting your time.” She hazarded a side-glance and her heart skipped a beat at his soft smile. “It seems an odd treasure for a man to hunt for. Why not the Draken Cup? Or the Sarian Stone? Why the erotic e-books?”
“That’s a silly question.” The curve of his lips deepened. “You know how much those Romantica stories are worth. Ever since the Conservative Censorship Committee succeeded in banning erotica and erotic romance back in 2015 it’s almost impossible to find. All the print books have long since turned into dust, but the remaining e-books that manage to make it to the black market bring in a small fortune. Can you imagine how much a database full of those stories would be worth?”
Sam sighed with longing. “Now that the ban has been revoked, finding those stories would not only return literary treasures to the people, but it would help lift this sexual repression that has stifled us all for so long.”
“You sound like a woman who appreciates the erotic,” Rick purred. He stood and came toward her, his gait slow and filled with seductive promise. The blaster strapped to one thigh and the laser sword strapped to the other only emphasized how dangerous he was. Against the backdrop of her small office, he was even more intimidating.
And tantalizing.
Here’s a sneak peak at the other stories…
Allergic To Love by Anna J. Evans
Marcus Ashton is a werewolf searching for his one true mate. He’s had his share of fantasies about the perfect woman, but none of them involved severe canine allergies or a colleague out to get him fired. Ella Bradley has had enough of controlling men and no amount of chemistry is going to change her mind, especially when she suspects the dangerously handsome Marcus of slipping libido-enhancing drugs into her cocoa. These two would-be lovers have less than twelve hours to clear up a major biological roadblock and a little human misunderstanding, or they may find themselves permanently allergic to love.
Eclipse by Denise A. Agnew
New Orleans.
Halloween.
A blood red eclipse will cover this night…
Dawn went to the Den of Wolves, certain she could save her wayward sister from immortality. She knew only one man could help her—Niall Machaire. The man her sister had loved and left ten years ago.
Something isn’t quite right about Niall, but she isn’t certain what it is…
What is he?
Dawn feared the primal, unstoppable craving she experienced for the gorgeous man. When he saves her life, and she awakens naked in his bed, she discovers his help may cost an immortal price.
Genesis by B.J. McCall
The deadly Purge has passed. Dr. Tria Anara and four young women are all that is left of the Zyrai people. Without compatible male seed, the Zyrai race is doomed to extinction. The arrival of a ship from the Sarru system offers a chance for survival.
Five beautiful, willing females isn’t what Captain Dax Rann and his all-male crew expected, but mission demands they provide aid and comfort. Despite the doctor’s efforts to erase all memory of the erotic encounter, Dax’s extraordinary dreams make the Zyrai beauty impossible to forget.
Blind Date by Elisa Adams
Ruthie Ryan has been unlucky in love. Her recent dates have all been complete disasters. There’s only one man she’s ever met who really gets her—but he’s out of the question. He’s her best friend.
Mike wants more than friendship with Ruthie, but she doesn’t believe him. Sick of waiting for her to take him seriously, he sets up a night of pure romantic fantasy in the guise of a blind date. He knows what she wants and he plans to use the knowledge to his advantage. They belong together and he has one night to use every sensual weapon in his arsenal to prove it.
Sir Stephen’s Fortune by Sahara Kelly
Stripped of his life through no fault of his own, Sir Stephen O’Mannion is lost—lost in the quiet countryside of rural England. He can see no future for himself, but thanks to a fortuneteller and a crystal ball, he sees something else—a woman in the throes of passion.
For Ileana Baxter, the chance to enjoy a night with a real man is more than she can resist. Sensual by nature, her needs are acute and this handsome guest seems ready to fulfill them. Perhaps Sir Stephen’s fortune lies not in his journeys but in Ileana’s arms…
